Eddie Gonzales Jr. – MessageToEagle.com – Stargazers will be awarded tonight as they have a unique chance to observe a Christmas star appear in the night sky tonight. The Great Conjunction was last seen in 1623 during the times of Galileo Galilei. Now, 800 years later Saturn and Jupiter, two of the solar system’s largest planets will merge creating a bright point in the sky on 21 December.
Don’t miss the Great Conjunction on December 21, 2020- Credit: SN – Adobe Stock
Jupiter and Saturn will be just one-tenth of a degree apart from our perspective or about one-fifth the width of a full moon. The two planets should be easily visible around the world a little after sunset, weather permitting.
“What is most rare is a close conjunction that occurs in our nighttime sky,” said Vanderbilt University’s David Weintraub, an astronomy professor.
“I think it’s fair to say that such an event typically may occur just once in any one person’s lifetime, and I think ‘once in my lifetime’ is a pretty good test of whether something merits being labeled as rare or special.”
This conjunction, in 1623 was almost impossible to see because of its closeness to the Sun, but the merging of Saturn and Jupiter was possible to watch in 1226 when Genghis Khan was conquering Asia. Monday’s conjunction will be the closest pairing that is visible since way back then.
If you want to see the Christmas Star, be ready shortly after sunset Monday, looking to the southwest fairly low on the horizon. Saturn will be the smaller, fainter blob at Jupiter’s upper right. Binoculars will be needed to separate the two planets.
Despite appearances, Jupiter and Saturn will actually be more than 450 million miles (730 million kilometers) apart. Earth, meanwhile, will be 550 million miles (890 million kilometers) from Jupiter.
A telescope will not only capture Jupiter and Saturn in the same field of view but even some of their brightest moons.
NASA said Jupiter and Saturn have “gradually moved closer to each other” and will be just a “fifth of a full moon apart” at their closest point.
The space agency added: “Keep in mind that while the two gas giants may appear close, in reality they are hundreds of millions of miles apart.
“This will be quite a striking sight, but you will need to look fast as both planets will set shortly after sunset.
“Look above the western horizon after sunset for these bright, close planets – a clear view will help!”
Their next super-close pairing: March 15, 2080.
Written by Eddie Gonzales Jr. – MessageToEagle.com Staff